Charlot Salwai

Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas[1] (born 24 April 1963)[2] is a Vanuatuan politician and former accountant and political advisor. He was the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, having been elected on 11 February 2016[3] following the 2016 general election, and dismissed on 20 April 2020 following the 2020 general election. He is the leader of the Reunification of Movements for Change (RMC), which is part of the Unity for Change bloc. Salwai is a Francophone from Pentecost Island.[3]

The Honourable Charlot Salwai MP
11th Prime Minister of Vanuatu
In office 11 February 2016 – 20 April 2020
President	Baldwin Lonsdale Esmon Saimon (Acting) Tallis Obed Moses
Deputy	Jotham Napat
Preceded by	Sato Kilman
Succeeded by	Bob Loughman
MP for Pentecost
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 May 2002
Personal details
Born	(1963-04-24) 24 April 1963 Pentecost Island, New Hebrides
Political party	Reunification Movement for Change
Spouse(s)	Marie-Justine Salwai
Residence	Port Vila, Vanuatu
Occupation	Accountant
Profession	Politician

Born in 1963, he learned speaking French as a teenager.[4] He attended Bourail College to obtain his General Education Certificate, Bourail Technical College to obtain his Technical Education Certificate, and Lycée Blaise Pascal in Nouméa for his Baccalauréat technologique G2.[2]

Salwai had previously served as Minister for Trade and Industries, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Minister for Education, Minister for Finance and Economic Management, and Minister of Internal Affairs.[2][5] He has also served as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Leader of the Opposition Whip, and Deputy Opposition Leader.[2]

In August 2016 he was re-elected as leader of the RMC.[6] In late November 2016 Salwai survived an attempt at a motion of no-confidence, with MP's being divided on procedural points regarding the motion and attachment of a summons.[7] In August 2020 he, former cabinet ministers Matai Seremaiah and Jerome Ludvaune and former MP Tom Korr were committed to the Supreme Court on charges of bribery and corruption over allegations he had bribed MPs who had signed the motion.[8] Salwai was also charged with perjury.

Salwai is a Protestant Christian and is able to speak some English. In the summer of 2017, he appeared in South Korea at the RUTC "World Remnant Conference".[9]

References

1. Howlett, Nick. "Climate change is real – and a major threat to Pacific islands region, says PM Salwai at UN General Assembly". Vanuatu Digest. Archived from the original on 2018-09-08. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
2. "Hon. Charlot Salwai", Vanuatu Parliament, 20 January 2015
3. "Charlot Salwai elected Vanuatu PM". Radio New Zealand. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
4. "Strengthening Pacific Ties". SPASIFIK.
5. Isno, Vira. "Hon. Charlot Salwai". Parliament of Vanuatu. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
6. Rita Narayan (26 August 2016). "PM Charlot Salwai retains position as national President of RMC". Loop Vanuatu. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
7. Dan McGary (30 November 2016). "Vanuatu Prime Minister Survives No-Confidence Attempt". Pacific Islands Report. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
8. "Former Vanuatu PM and MPs referred to Supreme Court". RNZ. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
9. "주보 :: 임마누엘서울교회". www.rutc24.kr. Retrieved 2017-12-07.

Political offices
Preceded by Sato Kilman	Prime Minister of Vanuatu 2016–2020	Succeeded by Bob Loughman